On 23 April 2007 the twelfth World Book and Copyright Day, proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 1995, is celebrated. It is now widely recognised in over one hundred countries, in the North as well as the South, very often thanks to the support of a number of committed partners (National commissions, international professional associations, enterprises).

On 23 April, more than 100 countries will participate in the 12th World Book and Copyright Day, which was launched by UNESCO in 1996. Publishers, libraries, schools, cultural centres and authors’ organizations are gearing up on every continent to celebrate the occasion, which pays tribute to the vital importance of books for modern society.

This year, UNESCO wants to emphasize the vital role of books not only in relation to education, economics, cultural creation and democratic participation, but also, as stressed by Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, their "importance with regard to freedom of expression and the safeguarding and promotion of expressions of cultural diversity, which are major issues for humanity."

"Such action, which has an ethical as much as a political dimension," Mr Matsuura continues, " is part of a long-term approach and requires specific and lasting measures for the promotion of books and reading, whose impact will extend far beyond the symbolic date of 23 April."

Among the book-promotion initiatives that have gained international success is the "World Book Capital". Madrid was the first city to be proclaimed World Book Capital, on the sixth World Book and Copyright Day. After Alexandria (Egypt, 2002), New Delhi (India, 2003), Antwerp (Belgium, 2004), Montreal (Canada, 2005) and Turin (Italy, 2006), the designated city this year is Bogotá (Colombia). For 2008, Amsterdam (Netherlands) has been announced as the choice of the selection committee, comprised of representatives from the International Publishers Association (IPA), the International Booksellers Federation (IBF) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) as well as UNESCO.